Combination of medication, diet could reverse type 2 diabetes, study finds
How foods can impact your gut health
Saturday is "National Food is Medicine Day" and many Americans deal with a plethora of health issues. LiveNOW from FOX host Christy Matino spoke to Dr. Joan Salge Blake, a clinical assistant professor and dietetics internship director at Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences on this issue.
LOS ANGELES - A new clinical trial in The BMJ found that combining calorie restriction with the diabetes drug dapagliflozin reversed type 2 diabetes in nearly half of participants.
The approach also improved weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol, offering a practical solution for managing this widespread condition.
How the combination approach works
The backstory:
Type 2 diabetes remission has traditionally been linked to significant weight loss, often achieved through intense calorie restriction or bariatric surgery. However, the new study offers an alternative by combining moderate calorie reduction with dapagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.
Dapagliflozin helps regulate blood sugar by promoting glucose excretion through urine, reducing reliance on insulin. This approach, paired with cutting 500 to 750 calories daily and physical activity, allowed nearly 44% of participants to achieve remission after one year.
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FILE - Different kinds of vegetables, including paprikas, zucchini, onions and tomatoes, lie on display. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Study details and results
By the numbers:
The trial included over 300 adults in China with type 2 diabetes diagnosed within the past six years. Participants were randomly assigned to either a dapagliflozin group or a placebo group while adhering to a calorie-restricted diet and physical activity routine.
Key findings:
- Remission rates: 44% in the dapagliflozin group versus 28% in the placebo group.
- Weight loss: Participants taking dapagliflozin lost an average of 11 pounds, compared to 7 pounds in the placebo group.
- Health improvements: Dapagliflozin patients also had better insulin sensitivity, lower cholesterol, and improved blood pressure.
What this treatment means for diabetes care
What they're saying:
Experts have called the results promising, noting the potential for wider accessibility compared to other intensive weight-loss methods.
Dr. Xiaoying Li, the study’s lead researcher, said, "This study provides a practical strategy to achieve remission for patients with type 2 diabetes."
An editorial accompanying the study emphasized the significance of combining less intense calorie restriction with SGLT2 inhibitors. "Achieving remission through less intense calorie restriction may prove more inclusive at the population level," the authors wrote.
What you can do:
For individuals managing type 2 diabetes, this study underscores the importance of integrating healthy lifestyle changes with medical treatments.
Moderate calorie restriction, regular physical activity, and consulting a doctor about medication like dapagliflozin could be steps toward remission.
The Source: This story is based on findings published in The BMJ and expert commentary from Imperial College London.